Russia Might Ban Export of Sunflower Seeds

Russia’s sunflower refiners asked the government to ban exports of seeds and oil from mid- September to curb price rises after the worst drought in at least half a century, reports Bloomberg, citing Vedomosti.

Refiners submitted the request to First Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov and Agriculture Minister Yelena Skrynnik, the newspaper said, citing unidentified union officials.

Sunflower prices are about 50 percent higher than a year earlier at 16,000 rubles ($518) a metric ton, Vedomosti said.